The Place

On the proposal from David Sykes fo r the BEARs sidecar series:

I am flabbergasted that anyone would think that changing a class in its second year could ever be a good idea. Outfits are being made as we speak that would be made obsolete if this gets voted through. All who support this class must see that we must at all costs encourage people to come to this class and to do that we must have stability and machines of similar performance.

The two outfits that have competed all the rounds this season were BMW K100 based with a stock power output of about 95bhp through development of the machines and crews the speeds have been impressive and we have seen some close racing. It this motion is passed then the Triumph bikes with 1200cc and up to 147bhp (MCN) would be allowed in and that would be a disaster for anyone running an outfit from this season. I also feel that big discrepancies in speed are dangerous and are a basic safety concern.

The most innovative and far reaching part of the BEARs Sidecar concept is the cheapness. As I have repeatedly said on my radio show ‘this is the cheapest sidecar racing for thirty years’ Believe me its true, my outfit costing me £850 race ready and John Lorriman’s less than that, in fact the most expensive outfit built so far being that of Adam Pope at a still poultry £1500! This would not be the case if later bikes were allowed into the class!

This proposal would allow Ducati 888 with a power output of over 150bhp a six speed gear box and a lowest price tag of £6000. Anyone who wanted to build an outfit based on this bike would easily buy the championship.

I want this class to grow and at some time we will have to look at more modern bikes but I don’t think that needs to be for at least five years.

Your absolutely right Phil,keep it simple and cheap. these proposed changes will only make the class follow the same route as the other classes making it increasingly less affordable. Adam Pope's bike at £1500 is cheap racing. and the moment you implement these changes the racing won't be as close. I think this class is great as it is. So Keep it Simple Stupid.

I agree with you entirely Phil.It is not just a case of the issues of racing in your class though.
The Vmcc frequently mix and match their classes to provide a full grid,nothing wrong with that,providing the performance defferential between the classes is not too great.
However,if you have bikes with as little as 50 bhp,and some with a 147,plus riders of varying abilities,then its a recipy for a serious accident.Its all about closing speed.

Thats very true Tony as seen in that race at Cadwell with the idiot on the GT750 that nearly killed his passenger, oh and me and about six others

tonybsa2008 wrote:I agree with you entirely Phil.It is not just a case of the issues of racing in your class though.
The Vmcc frequently mix and match their classes to provide a full grid,nothing wrong with that,providing the performance defferential between the classes is not too great.
However,if you have bikes with as little as 50 bhp,and some with a 147,plus riders of varying abilities,then its a recipy for a serious accident.Its all about closing speed.

The solution is simple, it is called Handicap, slowest away first, fastest last.

SlowPhil wrote:Thats very true Tony as seen in that race at Cadwell with the idiot on the GT750 that nearly killed his passenger, oh and me and about six others

Phil,

Trying hard to picture this, was the GT750 ridiculously slow or exceptionally fast?
Do you mean the BHRO meeting or the Bonanza?
I was spectating at both and do not recall the incident.

mervnoble wrote:

SlowPhil wrote:Thats very true Tony as seen in that race at Cadwell with the idiot on the GT750 that nearly killed his passenger, oh and me and about six others

Phil,

Trying hard to picture this, was the GT750 ridiculously slow or exceptionally fast?
Do you mean the BHRO meeting or the Bonanza?
I was spectating at both and do not recall the incident.

He started at the back, tenth row I think, I was on the filth then collected me by trying to go inside me at Coppice when I was already just a foot away from the white line. There is a vid on face book

Oh dear,I take it you are refering to the Bonanza meeting?As a gt750 was not eligible in the Vmcc the last time I raced with them.

Let's face it Phil, by the time he got near you he was panic braking

When I was racing, both as a passenger and later as a driver in the sixties and seventies, handicapping was all the rage at most meetings, and oh boy! was there some cheating going on. The faster drivers (oversized engines) were going slow in the heats, but once they were in the handicap race they would tear off and take all of the prize money places. I am afraid that cheating was profitable back then, as well as now.

steve-e wrote:Let's face it Phil, by the time he got near you he was panic braking

His bike was very fast Steve, didnt get passed me intact though